Chapter 291: Do You Have A Master? (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 291: Do You Have A Master? (1)
He wanted to make her human.
What did Wi Seol-Ah mean by that?
If the Sword Emperor and the Immortal Healer had taken Wi Seol-Ah to the Taeryung Clan to turn her into a human… did that mean she hadn't been human to begin with?
The thought nagged at me. No matter how I looked at her, Wi Seol-Ah seemed entirely human. She had once mentioned it was to seal her power and because of the great vessel she possessed. Her explanation had been vague, but I thought I'd understood the gist of it.
Her presence.
That was the difference. Unlike before my regression, when I couldn't feel her presence at all, I could sense it quite clearly now.
Was this related to the story she had just told me? Some people are born with a faint presence; it's a talent often found among assassins. The Dark King, for instance, was born with such a potent killing intent it felt like a natural part of him. Namgung Bi-ah had a similar quality, though her breathtaking beauty overshadowed it entirely.
But Wi Seol-Ah… hers was an extreme case. It wasn't just faint; it felt completely nonexistent. There were also times she displayed strength that should be impossible for someone without Qi, but I'd always rationalized it.
She's the future Divine Sword, after all.
But if Wi Seol-Ah wasn't human to begin with… what was she? I didn't know. Even if the story were true, it didn't fully explain why the Sword Emperor would go to the Taeryung Clan. Could one even alter a person's vessel? And if the Immortal Healer had succeeded, as Wi Seol-Ah claimed, why travel all the way to the Taeryung Clan when the Immortal Healer was from the Gu Clan?
I hadn't understood their motive in my past life or this one, but Wi Seol-Ah's subsequent words shed some light.
"…There was a giant boulder with a blue light in the room."
A giant boulder with a blue light. It wasn't a detailed description, but it immediately brought one thing to mind.
The Demonic Stone of Seal?
I had encountered it in my past life. Zhuge Hyuk, the grandson of the Immortal Healer and the mastermind behind the Demonic Cult, had used it. Its effects were similar to a formation or barrier—a strange treasure that could seal Qi or Demonic Qi within a certain area. As far as I knew, only the Heavenly Demon could wield power within its influence. I'd heard it was used to protect Zhuge Hyuk due to his fragile human body.
Did the Taeryung Clan originally possess that item? I had only known it prevented others from using Qi; I didn't realize it could also seal a person's Qi internally. If the Immortal Healer used it, was it part of some medical technique? I didn't know.
If the Sword Emperor and the Immortal Healer went to the Taeryung Clan knowing they had the Demonic Stone of Seal, it meant the Healer used his power to activate the stone, resulting in Wi Seol-Ah's vessel being reduced and her gaining a presence.
But how does that equate to making her human?
There are reasons one might not sense another's presence. One is a natural talent for stealth. The other is an overwhelming difference in power, like what I felt near the Sword Emperor. Even then, his presence was faint, not utterly absent.
A perfect example was the Heavenly Demon. The existence that led the Demonic Cult and brought calamity to the Central Plains. When it unleashed its aura, the area around it was crushed into silence, but normally, it felt… different.
So, the Sword Emperor wanting to "make Wi Seol-Ah human" could mean she wasn't human. It could also mean she wasn't related to him. That was a possibility. This might also explain a connection between Wi Seol-Ah and the Heavenly Demon that I had often wondered about.
…If they are related, does that mean the Heavenly Demon isn't human either?
Despite its monstrous power, I had always assumed it was human.
Then what is it?
What were Wi Seol-Ah and the Heavenly Demon? If not human, were they a different species? Something else entirely?
How absurd.
I knew this world wasn't inhabited solely by humans. Demons emerged from the Gates of Demons, and I knew other things came through as well. Besides, it was hard to even call 'me' fully human anymore.
So, the Sword Emperor went to the Taeryung Clan for the Demonic Stone of Seal?
The treasure I believed the Heavenly Demon had found and given to Zhuge Hyuk. Had it been stolen from the Taeryung Clan? Or did another such stone exist?
But my biggest question is something else.
If Wi Seol-Ah's life in both timelines was unchanged, it meant the Divine Sword of my past life also had her Qi and vessel sealed. There was a reason I believed this to be true. The presence I felt from her now was similar to what I sensed from her in my past life—the state she achieved after her vessel and Qi were reduced.
Did that mean Wi Seol-Ah fought the Heavenly Demon while still sealed? Even in that state, she reached the Peak realm within a few years of sword training. If her power hadn't been sealed… if she had begun her training without any restrictions… what would have happened?
If there was a way to break the seal within her, wouldn't it be easier to stop the calamity the Heavenly Demon would bring?
The thought flashed through my mind.
Clap.
I immediately dismissed it, slapping my own cheeks. I knew the most efficient path was to have Wi Seol-Ah train with her sword and become stronger than she was in my past life. I had to remember why I hadn't chosen an easier path this time. I hadn't vowed to bite my tongue and die for no reason, only to give up at the first sign of a shortcut.
Wi Seol-Ah had to live her own life. Not as a hero or the Divine Sword.
Also, what was the Sword Emperor thinking when he sealed her powers?
It likely wasn't just to avoid attention due to his granddaughter's immense talent. There must have been another reason. I was curious, but asking him seemed dangerous.
…Do I have to go see the Sword Emperor?
If it concerned Wi Seol-Ah, I had to investigate. I was honestly afraid to face him, but I couldn't afford that fear now. This might also be connected to the Heavenly Demon.
As I stood there, lost in thought, a voice interrupted me.
"...What are you doing?"
Someone had approached. "...I was just thinking."
"You're bleeding."
"Hmm?"
I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand and saw blood. I must have slapped my cheek too hard. The speaker was none other than Peng Ah-hee.
"What happened? Were you in a fight?"
"...I just tripped."
"That's what people say when they lose a fight. Did you lose to someone?"
"Why are you provoking me the moment you arrive?"
"Isn't this more of a joke? You look like your face is rotting."
"…"
Peng Ah-hee chuckled. This was the first time I'd seen her in about a year.
"Are you coming to the Academy as well?"
Hearing my question, she shrugged. "As you can see, my household won't allow me to skip it."
Fair enough. The Four Noble Clans were particularly sensitive about the Heavenly Dragon Academy. Considering her brother, Peng Woojin, was the former Heavenly Dragon, there was no way she could avoid attending.
"Not that I can do much even if I do go."
Peng Ah-hee was the only one from the Four Noble Clans who hadn't earned a title or managed to join the Six Dragons and Three Phoenixes. But I felt calm about it. I knew the title she would earn in the future, after the great calamity. It might not be as grand as her brother's 'Dao Emperor,' but it was impressive nonetheless.
"Work hard. I'm sure you'll do well."
At my words, Peng Ah-hee made a strange face. For some reason, that expression was annoying.
"What… Why are you staring at me like that?"
"That was a bit creepy, coming from you. Are you trying to hit on me?"
"I almost cursed right to your face just now. Be careful."
"I'm sorry, but I don't really like guys surrounded by girls. Plus, our relationship is already over."
"…I told you I wasn't trying to hit on you."
My head was already aching, and she was making it worse.
"I think remaining friends is perfect for us. Thank you, though."
"I want to end our friendship right now. Is that okay?"
Peng Ah-hee laughed. I knew she was joking, but why act like this?
"Aren't you in the first group?"
"That's right. I am indeed in the first group."
"Then can you please screw off back to your group?"
Did she forget why the instructors had separated us? Why was she testing my patience by coming all the way over here?
"It's fine since the exam hasn't started yet."
"Instructor! There's this crazy girl who—!"
"Ugh! I'll leave, I'll leave, alright!"
When I tried to call an instructor without hesitation, Peng Ah-hee quickly stopped me. Then why start this in the first place?
"It's just… there's one thing that's been on my mind. I came to tell you."
"What is it?"
"…Don't think too weirdly of me. It's just a feeling."
She leaned in with a darkened expression. Just as I was about to push her away for getting too close, she spoke.
"The Meteor Sword guy. He seems a bit strange."
I paused. Jang Seonyeon?
"…He's rumored to be super kind and all, but something feels fishy. The way he looked at you seemed strange."
"…"
That was unexpected. I didn't think Peng Ah-hee was so sharp. Moreover, she had come specifically to tell me.
"Take it with a grain of salt, though. It's just a feeling."
It might seem strange, given how impeccably Jang Seonyeon managed his appearance, but Peng Ah-hee had bothered to come all this way. Despite our rocky start, it seemed we'd built a decent relationship.
"…I'll keep that in mind. Thanks."
Out of habit, I reached out my hand. Without thinking, I meant to pat her head—she had a similar build to Wi Seol-Ah and Tang Soyeol—but Peng Ah-hee lightly grabbed my wrist.
"Nuh-uh. You can't do that to a girl you don't have feelings for."
"…Oh, sorry. It's just a habit."
"Fix it, then. The pretty big sisters around you are going to get mad if you bring more girls, you know?"
"…"
"I didn't think you had a face that was popular with girls, so I guess this was your problem."
"I'll be careful."
Peng Ah-hee let go of my hand and smirked. She was right. I needed to be more careful. It was a bad habit I'd gotten used to.
"Oh, right. Also,"
"Hmm?"
"Did something happen between you and Brother Hyuk, perhaps?"
"…Who's that?"
"The Sleeping Dragon."
"Hmm?"
An unexpected name came from her mouth. Why was she mentioning him?
"Are you close with that bas— No, with Brother Sleeping Dragon?"
"We aren't close or anything. It's just that my brother knows him."
The Sleeping Dragon and Peng Woojin knew each other? I wasn't even aware of that.
I don't ever remember the Sleeping Dragon bastard mentioning Peng Woojin.
I could understand him not telling me, but they really knew each other, huh.
"So?"
"It's just, he asked about you."
"About me? The Sleeping Dragon did?"
"That's right. So I wondered if something happened."
The Sleeping Dragon went out of his way to ask Peng Ah-hee about me? I wondered why… Oh. One thing came to mind.
"Something did happen."
"What was it?"
"It's nothing special."
I thought back to when I first arrived in Henan. "He was fighting in the streets, so I beat him up because it pissed me off."
"…That is something special."
Peng Ah-hee made a disgusted face after my calm reply. What… It was those crazy bastards' fault for brawling in public. Now I'm the problem? How absurd.
"Is that the reason, then?"
"No, that didn't really seem like it… Just ask him the next time you meet."
"You're going now?"
Peng Ah-hee started walking away without a hint of regret, having said her piece. It seemed she really had come just to deliver that message.
"Yes, I'm going. My life will be in danger if I stay near you for too long."
"What does that even mean?"
"It's just like that, you idiot."
Sticking out her tongue, Peng Ah-hee lightly moved back towards the first group. Watching her go, I sighed.
Thanks to her, some of my frustration has lessened.
My complicated thoughts had receded a bit, even if it wasn't her intention to relieve my mind. I was grateful nonetheless.
I shook my head to clear it.
Let's focus on what I have to do now.
Because I had used my Secret Arts two days ago, my Qi still wasn't flowing smoothly.
My Dantian still aches with pain.
Despite resting and circulating my Mind Arts, I hadn't fully recovered. Then again,
I doubt I'll need to use much strength in a playground filled with children.
I thought I could just get by casually, but I had overlooked one thing. Among all these kids, there was a real monster hiding here besides me.